Chapter 6
But Abigail changed the subject. She said they were just playing around at the time, but Daniel had taken it too seriously–so serious that it eventually scared her. So, she broke up with him.
She sighed, and I could almost sense why. She might still feel a little regret for letting Daniel go.
“But I’m very happy now,” she added.
Abigail’s expression shifted slightly, her voice filled with a sense of relief.
“My husband is taking me abroad and giving me the best life,” she said, her tone light. “And Daniel should focus on his studies in college.”
She paused before adding, “He and I are on different paths, but you, you‘ re lucky because you’re on the right one.”
After we met, I sent a message asking
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Daniel to pick me up. I’ll admit, it was partly to stake my claim. But in the end, I realized it wasn’t necessary.
I couldn’t understand the lasting bond between them. When they saw each other, they didn’t speak a word, yet it felt like their eyes exchanged so much.
But I couldn’t know for sure.
Daniel took my hand and asked why it was so cold. I didn’t get it then–why he never mentioned how he couldn‘ t let go of Abigail.
Now I understand. He was afraid of disturbing Abigail’s life. After all, Abigail was being whisked away by her husband in a million–dollar supercar, her face lit with happiness. Meanwhile, I was in the middle of winter, blowing into my hands, riding Daniel’s electric scooter back to school. He didn’t say another word the whole way.
That night, after returning, we went to a
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small hotel by the school. We became each other‘ s, completely. As I was about to fall asleep, I heard Daniel whisper, “I‘ ll treat you well for the rest of my life.”
I never truly understood their connection. From my perspective, Daniel was held back by Abigail. Before he dropped out, he was the top science student, the one the school had high hopes for. With his grades, he shouldn’t have ended up in Jiangda–he could have gone so much further. But
because of Abigail, he lost a better chance. And then, she betrayed him, ending things without hesitation.
But Daniel didn’t blame her. In fact, he couldn’t let her go for years.
I didn’t understand before, but now I do. The truth is simple: Daniel, he was a fool.
When I arrived in Chicago, the intense ultraviolet rays hit me as soon as I stepped off the plane. I hadn’t seen such bright sunlight in so long.
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“Is this Lily? I’m Archer Jones from the art studio. They sent me to
